Better Bus & Rail Service in Temecula & Murrieta

[nickv]

I was reading through the old discussion board and found this topic which inspired me to make a "dream" bus & rail map of Southwest Riverside County.

The original poster asked:

Does anyone know if there are any plans to increase bus service in Murrieta?

I've lived here a little over two years, and while the population continues to increase rapidly (the Temecula Valley has over 200,000 residents), the bus service hasn't improved at all.

The one bus through Murrieta (route 23) only runs once an hour, and stops around 5:30pm.

What can be done to fix this?

boards.eesite.com/board.cgi?boardset=ExpoLine&boardid=busrails&thread=41&spec=6278115

RTA is really good at listening to its customers and the agency has been working very hard with this problem and similar problems systemwide. See their COA report for details linked from www.riversidetransit.com

I can certainly echo this poster's frustration. Although RTA is working hard on improving transit and that a second local bus line (Route 61) is coming into the region, this region needs a total transit makeover if it is to be not so car dependent.

The transit map includes real proposed regional routes which include the I-15 managed lane project with BRT, California HSR, the Metrolink Perris Valley Line to Hemet, and a Metrolink extension to Temecula. Most of the bus route ideas on the map and the station stops for the I-15 BRT project are my ideas, not official proposals. So to not confuse anybody, the bus numbers on my map are similar to the existing bus routes in the RTA system in this area. Note that the thick yellow routes are main trunk routes, the thin dark blue routes are CommuterLink routes, and that the green routes are community routes. Also note that each local route connects to one of the regional routes.

The map also shows opportunities (and existing spots) for transit oriented development.

picasaweb.google.com/nventrone1/PublicTransitDreamProposals/photo#5143314010467413474
(Click on 'Download Photo' to zoom in)

[nickv]

I got some feedback from a few local folks; so I've changed the map around a bit.

picasaweb.google.com/nventrone1/PublicTransitDreamProposals/photo#5143314010467413474
(Click on 'Download Photo' to zoom in)

Here's another interesting fact about transit in the Temecula and Murrieta area.

The local circulator busses (Lines 23, 24, 79) that roll around Temecula Valley are mostly vans which seats 12 people (similar to DAR vans), not 40 foot coaches. The vans have "old school" transit technology. The fare boxes are old-style non-computerized boxes (...but I believe RTA has plans to upgrade these). Day passes are pre-validated, and riders show their passes to the driver instead of swiping. The automated stop announcements are also absent, but the vans do have the "stop request" cords along the sides of the windows. The driver hears a buzzer when a stop request is made; still some riders will simply say "Next stop please". The busses also have no rear exit (well, actually they do but it's the wheel chair elevator door though).

Most of the vans have no electrified overhead or side signage indicating the route number and final destination, but the vans have a sign near the boarding doors indicating the route number only. Whenever I ride the local routes, passengers often ask "Are you going to Wal-Mart or County Center?"...Well, during the SRTP public hearing, I mentioned that these routes needed overhead signage and upgraded fareboxes.

The 30 foot coaches came into town when the CommuterLink lines were launched back in 2003. Sometimes, I'll see a few 30 foot coaches being used for Line 79 too. Right now, the CommuterLink busses operate during rush hours only, and CommuterLink 206 will have Saturday service in January. The first of the 40 foot coaches came into the Temecula Valley when CommuterLink 206 had standing room only conditions on their 30 foot coaches. Starting in January, CommuterLink 206 will run with all 40 foot coaches. The only other closest RTA route that uses 40 foot coaches is Line 22, which begins at the Lake Elsinore Outlet Center and heads towards Perris and Riverside.

Check the RTA Board of Directors reports for sources.

More chitter chatter on bus service in Temecula and Murrieta:
.......................................................

Frustrated Murrieta
User ID: 0896204 Dec 8th 12:40 PM
Does anyone know if there are any plans to increase bus service in Murrieta?

I've lived here a little over two years, and while the population continues to increase rapidly (the Temecula Valley has over 200,000 residents), the bus service hasn't improved at all.

The one bus through Murrieta (route 23) only runs once an hour, and stops around 5:30pm.

What can be done to fix this?


Michael M.
User ID: 1062774 Dec 8th 2:57 PM
Contact Riverside Transit Agency

951 565 5000

ask to speak with their person who plans their routes/services. Or customer service as a second choice.

Tell them:

* What needs in the area you feel are not being served.
Be specific: do you mean trips to work, trips to school, trips to....
If you mean trips to work, are there major employment centers in the area that have zero or very inadequate service? Ditto with colleges, major hospitals, yada yada.
If there are specific PARTS of the cities of Murietta and Temecula that you're referring to, mention that as well.

Follow up with a letter after your phone call.

1825 Third St
Riverside, CA 92517-1968

I suggest not using email: an AWFUL lot of people DELETE emails from ANYONE they don't already know.

As of Jan. 1st 2005 the estimated population of the City of Temecula was 81,397; for the City of Murietta it was 85,102.
California Department of Finance. California Statistical Abstract 2005. Table B-4.
www.dof.ca.gov/HTML/FS_DATA/STAT-ABS/tables/b4.pdf

Copy your letter to the Riverside County Transportation Commission. Their fax # is
951 787 7920.

Copy your letter to your city councilmember, to the mayor of Murietta, and to your county supervisor.

And, of course, copy your letter to this board.

By the way folks, take a look at RTA's system map.

This is the TEXTBOOK example of how not do design a transit network.

Route 23: short line from Temecula to Murietta.

Route 8: Temecula to Lake Elsinore, route goes in a large U.

No direct routes to ANYWHERE else from Murietta.

Neither of the 2 east-west lines that get close to Downtown Lake Elsinore actually go to downtown...you have to transfer to another bus to get there.

Last runs of most routes start at 5:30...in a county with hourly bus service where almost everyone has to transfer. Which means that NOBODY who gets off work at 5 pm can get home by bus.

Michael




Frustrated Murrieta
User ID: 0896204 Dec 8th 3:48 PM
Thanks Michael,

Does the Temecula Valley have enough people to justify better service?

I'd like to see bus service from 5:00am to 9:00pm or maybe even 10:00pm, every half hour, maybe every 15 minutes during peak hours.

Am I asking too much?


Frustrated Murrieta
User ID: 0896204 Dec 8th 4:04 PM
*As of Jan. 1st 2005 the estimated population of the City of Temecula was 81,397; for the City of Murietta it was 85,102.*

That's a total of 166,499

According to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene,_Oregon , Eugene Oregon had a population of 146,160 in 2005. They have a smaller population and somehow they are able to get Rapid Bus!

What's wrong with this picture? If they can do it, why can't the Temecula Valley?





crzwdjk
User ID: 7747523 Dec 8th 4:16 PM
Bus service ending at 5:30 is just ridiculous. Even most local suburban routes run until 6:30 or 7, and even that isn't really very good service for those getting out of work late, or those who want to go somewhere after work.
Michael M.
User ID: 1062774 Dec 11th 3:16 PM
"Does the Temecula Valley have enough people to justify better service?" [Frustrated Murietta]

Frustrated, in one word, YES YES (oops. 2 words.)

Frustrated, look at a map.

There are 2 major north-south corridors within Riverside County that extend from Temecula (as you well know):
The I-15 Corridor to Lake Elsinore and Corona. And the I-215 Corridor to Perris, Moreno Valley/March ARB, and Riverside to the north.

First thing I'd do, Frustrated, would be to implement 2 freeway express bus routes that would run every 30 minutes, ALL DAY LONG (meaning, say 5 am to 8 or maybe 9 pm, hourly after 6 or 7 pm) 7 DAYS PER WEEK.

Considering how Temecula is sandwiched between the Santa Ana Mountains to the west and Mount Palomar and other mountains/hills to the east, there really aren't any major east-west travel corridors that go through town. Closest thing to it is Temecula-Winchester-Hemet along Hwy 79. Probably not worth any kind of express service - it would make more sense to take a freeway express bus to Romoland (215/74 junction), then transfer to some kind of express bus on 74 from Romoland to Hemet.

Once you have a reasonable network of express buses across the Riverside-Corona-Temecula-Hemet-Moreno Valley area
(you'd need at least 2 east-west routes, a 74 route and a 60 route), you won't need LONG local routes like the 22 or 27. You'll still need local service on corridors served by express routes, but that could be served by small buses running once every 30 minutes.

Fill in local service in each of the larger cities as needed. I don't like circular circulator routes - I'd rather see a radial system where each route is routed between 2 destinations, one on each side of downtown.
Kevin
User ID: 0408214 Feb 11th 8:14 PM
I'm amazed that Temecula and Murrieta don't have better bus systems, especially considering the population. I used to live in the Camp Pendleton/Oceanside area back in 1978 - 1983, and the bus system there going on and off base was very good. I can't find a mass transit service that runs onto Camp Pendleton. I am getting ready to move to that area and plan on living in the Temecula/Murrieta vicinity and would much rather ride mass transit, but from what I can tell, there isn't a single bus that runs on base from there. That is really surprising, especially since California is supposed to be on the cutting edge of the mass transit scene! If they do not have bus runs going on base by the time I get there, rest assured, I'll be doing everything in my power to push the issue.
crzwdjk
User ID: 0185894 Feb 12th 1:21 AM
The last (and only) time I visited Camp Pendleton, I saw bus stops and buses belonging to NCTD, the transit authority of North San Diego County. The bus definitely runs to Oceanside, and probably to San Clemente as well.

[wrcousert]

My wish list is a bit shorter.

1. Routes 23 and 24 should run every 30 minutes until at LEAST 8:00pm. 10:00pm would be preferable.
2. Routes 206 and 208 should run once an hour, seven days a week, until at LEAST 8:00pm.

Is this unreasonable?

[nickv]

My wish list is a bit shorter.
1. Routes 23 and 24 should run every 30 minutes until at LEAST 8:00pm. 10:00pm would be preferable.
2. Routes 206 and 208 should run once an hour, seven days a week, until at LEAST 8:00pm.

Is this unreasonable?

Yes, my wish list is big
...and it won't come true overnight.

Both the headways and the span of service on both Routes 23 and 24 need to be upgraded...No kidding! Look at the traffic volumes on Margarita Rd, Murrieta Hot Springs Rd, Temecula Pkwy, Pechanga Pkwy, Rancho California Rd, and Winchester Rd, which are served by these routes. Those key corridors need frequent bus service.

The routes also need to be rerouted from circulators to more streamlined routes so that it won't take hours to get from Inland Valley Hospital to the southern end of Temecula.

Hourly headways would be nice on CommuterLink 206 and 208, especially Route 206. Because there's a high volume of traffic on the I-15 corridor and very high ridership on the 206, count on it to get support for better frequency and span of service. The I-215 corridor will be getting some midday service starting 1/14 between Sun City and Temecula. Route 61 was transformed from a Sun City circulator to a more direct route connecting the cities together. The bus will run every 80 minutes between the Promenade Mall and Sun City. An end-to-end trip will be 70 minutes on weekdays. It's span of service and connections to Riverside will still be very wishy-washy.

[nickv]

wrcousert,

I'm looking at both the general plan and satellite view (click on 'Satellite') of the land area. There's quite a bit of developed and some undeveloped zones where they're either medium density (7-12 du/ac) or high density (13-20 du/ac), especially on the Magarita, Rancho California, and Temecula Pkwy corridors. That's on top of the mixed use zones in Old Town Temecula and the areas near the new Murrieta Civic Center.

du = Dwelling unit or household.
ac = per acre

The Sierra Club Stop Sprawl Site reports that a community with a density of 7 du/ac has an average of 11 buses per hour.

A community with a density of 13 du/ac has an average of 27 busses per hour.



Much of the Temecula Valley is about 1 bus per hour each way. A bus every 30 minutes becomes feasible above 7 du/ac, and every 10 minutes at 15 du/ac. Light rail service is feasible above 9 du/ac. Rapid transit is feasible above 12 du/ac. Public transit use increases fourfold as density increases from 7 to 30 du/acre.

Source: Sierra Club